Season 14 • Episode 1063

The Race for a Bundibugyo Ebolavirus Vaccine

Jun 11, 2026

16:03

COVID-19 Global Health Vaccines & Immunization Emerging Infections Public Health Health Policy

Episode Description

About this episode:

Vaccines for the Zaire ebolavirus have been licensed since 2019, but no such treatment exists for the current outbreak of Bundibugyo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In this episode: Anna Durbin, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Immunization Research, introduces listeners to three candidate vaccines and discusses the hurdles to deploying new treatments.

Guest:

Dr. Anna Durbin is a professor of International Health and the director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Immunization Research.

Host:

Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.

Show links and related content:

Three Ebola vaccines in development amid growing outbreak fears—BBC
USAID's closure led to 'entirely preventable' deaths, latest Ebola outbreak: House Dem report—The Hill
HHS confirms Americans with high-risk Ebola exposures will have access to experimental therapy—STAT
Regeneron's Ebola Antibody Recommended by World Health Organization for Investigational Use in Response to Current Bundibugyo Ebolavirus Outbreak—Regeneron
What Will It Take to Contain the Central Africa Ebola Outbreak?—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
The Use of Investigational Drugs in an Outbreak: Separating Science and Politics With Hydroxychloroquine and COVID-19—Public Health On Call (May 2020)

Transcript information:

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